Election Day, Filipino Style

On October 25, 2010, local elections were held in the Philippines. I had the privilege of witnessing it first hand in remote province of Agusan del Sur on the island of Mindanao.

Elections are a big deal in the Philippines. I would guess nearly 100% of Filipinos turn up at the polls. Here, election season can also turn violent. During the period leading up to an election, my bags were routinely checked before entering a tiny shop. My hosts also insisted on escorting everywhere, even just to walk down the humble road near the home. Among my hosts was Amelito Cadao who is a Counselor of the Pisaan Baranguay (a local voting district in the Philippines) in San Francisco and was running for re-election. To illustrate the danger present even in this seemingly peaceful place, he told me that as long as I am in his baranguay, he could have armed men at my defense. If I left the baranguay, he could do nothing.